Ski With a Local Guide

How to Choose Fat Skis

Big fat skis for your powder fetish

Long turn radius with large shovels

Full rocker profile for float on deep days

These skis come with either a full rocker or early-rise tips along with wide waist to help you stay on top of the snow when you measure the 24-hour totals in feet instead of inches. Some full-on powder skis run a full rocker with very little contact length, but these can get pretty sketchy on the groomers. Because of this, most powder skis include a bit of camber for added edge control but keep an early rise tip that lets you float above the good stuff.

Conditions:

These skis are for deep, deep snow with more soft snow underneath. They generally do pretty well when things get chunky, but powder skis can be downright sketchy on hardpack.

Profile:

Expect either a full rocker or an early rise tip with a wide waist and even wider shovel. Skis with a bit of camber underneath will give you added control on the groomers.

Turn Type:

You’ll find every turn radius under the sun in powder skis. Some like a long turn radius for opening up on an untracked couloir, and some like a shorter radius to make powder turns easier.